MAIN IMAGE: Berry Everitt, CEO of Chas Everitt International Property Group
Staff reporter
The Chas Everitt International property group has announced it will no longer be associated in any way with a “new elective residency programme” that purports to offer South Africans a way to fast-track the acquisition of Italian citizenship.
CEO Berry Everitt says the group was invited to act as an introducer to the programme by representatives of a reputable international company and its Italy-based affiliate and made the decision to do so in good faith.
“However, last week we were made aware that the programme might not be authentic, and accordingly immediately suspended our services as one of several companies acting as introducers.
“Subsequent to that, we were given to understand that the Italian Embassy had stated in a press release that the information we had been given about the programme was false, and that the Italian government had no arrangement in place with either of the companies we had dealt with as regards its visa and residence permit policy. This statement was also published in an article on Businesstech on 30 July 2021.”
“We were not contacted by the Embassy prior to the issue of its press release and at no time have we ever claimed to have any direct ‘partnership’ with the Italian authorities. Nevertheless, in response to the statement and out of respect for those authorities, we immediately took action to remove all references to the programme from our website and social media platforms, and to completely disassociate ourselves from it.
“We have done this not only to protect the good name and reputation of our group but also out of concern for any of our clients who were interested in participating in this programme. We are also now reaching out individually to clients to ensure that they do not incur any financial loss as a result of pursuing their interest in possible Italian residency or citizenship.
“We would also like to point out that we have not at this time been enriched in any way nor received any commission pertaining to our role as an intermediary introducer, and nor do we expect to receive any financial benefit in future due to the fact that we have now completely distanced ourselves from this offering.”
